The deal, which will help sustain thousands of jobs in Britain, is the first major order since BAE Systems failed to merge with European aerospace giant EADS earlier this year.

“BAE Systems and the government of the Sultanate of Oman have entered into a contract for the supply of Typhoon and Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft to the Royal Air Force of Oman,” the London-listed company said in a statement.

Seventh nation in world

“The contract, valued at approximately $4.1 billion, provides for the delivery of 12 Typhoon and 8 Hawk aircraft starting in 2017.

“BAE Systems is the prime contractor for both the provision of the aircraft and the agreed arrangements for in-service support.” Oman will become the seventh nation in the world, and the second in the Middle East, to operate the Eurofighter Typhoon. “As well as supplying aircraft, BAE Systems will provide in-service support to the Royal Air Force of Oman’s operational tasks. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2017,” it added.

The Eurofighter project consortium comprises Britain’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Finmeccanica and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). “Receiving this contract is an honor and is excellent news for both BAE Systems and the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium,” said Guy Griffiths, group managing director for BAE Systems’ international business.

“We believe that Oman has now added the most advanced fighter jet and proven training aircraft, available in the world, to its military portfolio.” The latest order of Hawk jets takes the total number of Hawk aircraft sold, or on order, to 998 after a separate order from Saudi Arabia in May.

Separately, BAE had warned this week that a lucrative deal to sell fighter jets to Saudi Arabia was facing unresolved “issues” five years after an agreement was struck between the two sides. BAE and Saudi Arabia signed a $7.3-billion deal in 2007 to supply 72 Typhoon planes to Riyadh.